educating today . ideas to ponder . resources to use

The power and magic of storytellingA view into the work of Kristin Leong, a multi-faced educator and founder of Roll Call, a storytelling project that aims to celebrate how students and teachers can deeply connect despite cultural differences

Danger of a single storyNovelist Chimamanda Adichie’s TED talk in which she eloquently shares a warning: if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding

Gender inclusive classroom5 key tips on how teachers can pay close attention to the way gender is presented in their classrooms and ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all

Six words, six shotsA unique way to help students introduce themselves–to each other and to teachers–while building a strong, safe community

Get outsideA MindShift piece on why access to nature during the school year has substantial benefits for students

Boredom is good!A glimpse into why scientists say boredom is good, and how journalist/podcaster Manoush Zomorodi’s creative slump led her to design a challenge (Bored and Brilliant) that can help us all become more thoughtful about the way technology influences and shapes our lives

Mystery SkypeA look at how this accessible game piques students’ curiosity while helping them learn geography and make global connections with fellow students across the world

3 ways to speak EnglishSocial justice education scholar and spoken word artist, Jamila Lyiscott, shares a powerful spoken-word essay celebrating the 3 distinct variations of English she speaks with her friends, in the classroom and with her parents . . . and accentuates the complexity of what it means to be “articulate”

BAWDAn approach that emphasizes intentional, authentic, creative, child-centered assessment that offers the opportunity for students to learn and demonstrate understanding in unique and engaging ways

Puppets as interdisciplinary connectorsA PechaKucha presentation (20 slides x 20 seconds) from the 2019 NAIS Annual Conference highlighting one school’s creative use of puppetry as a vehicle for integrated learning across subjects

Sticky lessonsAn informative (and entertaining) read by Chip and Dan Heath, authors of the book Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die, that can help teachers make their instruction “stickier” and the content of their lessons more understandable and memorable

Overlooked no moreA New York Times project designed to surface the previously overlooked stories of “unseen” and remarkable people

Is it a Grecian Urn?Cult of Pedagogy’s Jennifer Gonzalez cautions that not all hands-on lessons are filled with substantial learning . . . and can, in fact, sometimes take away from richer tasks that would allow students the chance to “wrestle with more challenging stuff”

Doodling . . . it’s good for you!An intriguing article relating what research says about how doodling helps people focus on what they are learning, retain information and build confidence

Silence can be goldenHow silence in the school day can offer opportunities for deep reflection and learning . . . for students and adults

Open your door4 good reasons why peer observations can enhance the complex and intricate work of teaching

ShapeshifterA view into Professor Chuck Hoberman’s transformational work to develop bioinspired materials and devices that emulate the way nature builds—work that has made the world a better, more interesting place

Introvert, dearAn enlightening website with the mission of letting introverts everywhere know it’s okay to be who they are . . . and thrive in an extroverted world

5 benefits of playA look at the benefits of unstructured play and its brain building capabilities–including fostering creativity, helping children learn to invent, negotiate and problem solve

Importance of Struggle!The newest short video from Stanford’s Jo Boaler and YouCubed—highlighting the importance of struggle in the learning process

More talking, pleaseStrategies for facilitating consistent and structured collaborative conversations with students that can improve overall classroom environment

Storytelling in the classroom 3 ideas for including a little more time for storytelling in the classroom–for writers who need to tell their stories aloud (sometimes many times) to figure out what they want to say

Giver or Taker?Adam Grant’s TED talk about the 3 different kinds of workplace personalities (givers, takers, matchers) — a companion piece to his book Give and Take

Empathy is a verbEducational psychologist Michele Borba’s TEDx talk chronicling her journey to discover how to optimize human potential and cultivate empathy — a companion piece to her book UnSelfie

Funville AdventuresA new delightfully math-y book involving a series of characters with magical powers in a fantastical land where functions (one of the most important ideas of highermathematics) come to life

IGNITE presentationsThis unique presentation structure (20 slides, 15 seconds each) can be a powerful culminating activity for students—one that challenges them to be creative, engaging and succinct

Empowering global learnersA veteran Apple Distinguished Educator shares why even our youngest students benefit from lowering classroom walls and welcoming the world in as they learn every day

Courageous conversationsFrom the National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY) . . . a video series designed to shift the conversation and prompt a deeper, more authentic discussion about issues of racial equity in schools—discussion guides and resources included

Animated empathyBrené Brown on empathy . . . an RSA short (“snapshot of a big idea, blending voices from the RSA public events programme and the creative talents of illustrators and animators from around the world”)

Science SpoonfulsA supplement to NPR’s Science Friday podcast . . . doses of current science, technology, and engineering stories ready for the classroom; each contains a short piece of media and suggestions for extending student exploration into the science behind the story

Number talk imagesA beautiful collaborative project dedicated to gathering interesting images to be used as a launching point for Number Talks

It’s tricky . . .A reminder that giving effective feedback to students is more of an art than a simple practice

What are you practicing?Dave Mochel’s TEDx talk focusing on how consistently combining awareness with deliberate action leads to fulfillment, well-being, growth and connection

Humility is the new smartA thought-provoking podcast interview with author/professor Edward Hess explaining how the “Smart Age” now evolving has no place for ego—quality of ideas, accuracy, emotional intelligence and mindfulness will be the focus in our students’ future

Penny vs. dollar questionsAn engaging way to help our youngest students learn to restructure their thoughts and formulate effective questions

BONUS: (re-published from May, 2016 Teach+Learn post)SeesawAn easy-to-use digital tool that empowers students (K-8) to independently document what they are learning at school and build digital portfolios; simple enough for all ages to comfortably use